Member Monday: Alex Morehouse
HAPPY MEMBER MONDAY!
Guys, I have a pretty kickass surprise for you this week--
In today's featured post you'll get to learn all about the gorgeous and brilliant....
(drum roll please)
TGS founder and CEO
(not to mention amazing photographer and model)
(more drumming and rolling)
Alex Morehouse
Tell me about yourself?
“Life before TGS? I was a super dedicated student all through high school: Senior class President, 4.0+ with AP classes, worked close to full time. Then came out to Long Beach to attend CSULB as a Fashion Merchandising major. Joined a sorority Alpha Phi for two semesters which was amazing and I’m so happy I had that opportunity. I worked at a few different amazing clothing stores: Twig & Willow where I met Iris (who started TGS Blog with me), La Bella to name a few! I would go to the gym a ton, do random shoots with photographers, watch a ton of Netflix and eat a lot of food! Not too too exciting before TGS took off! ”
Alex Morehouse (model), Cedric (photographer)
Tell me everything! Zodiac sign, favorite color, where you've lived, college major?
“Leo // green // Sonora, CA for 18 years moved to Long Beach for college so was there for 4 years and now in LA for less than a year!”
Alex Morehouse (model), REX (photographer)
What made you want to start TGS?
“TGS started as TheGypsyShackBlog.com which is where Iris and I blogged maybe every other month... we were horribly inconsistent and didn’t have too too much of a direction. We started working with clothing stores I had relationships with like Planet Blue in Newport Beach or Elison Rd. in Long Beach and I would send Iris out with photographers I met and loved working with! We slowly introduced fashion and cool local brands into our blog! ”
Alex Morehouse (model), Iris (model), Katie (photographer)
Where did you get the name "the gypsy shack"?
“There was an old bar in my hometown named The Gypsy Shack - they went out of business a few years back and when I mentioned it we were just like ‘yeah I kinda like that!’ It’s cool now looking back because the company has kind of embodied our name - The Gypsy Shack. We’re a gathering place for creatives and nomads. People from different parts of the world, different religions and different ethnicities! We’ve become a place for diversity and gathering! ”
Alex Morehouse (model), Heather K (photographer)
Was it hard to start your own company? Did you struggle with anything or was it all smooth sailing?
“Absolutely it was hard as hell. I was working full time and going to school full time.... basically started TGS between the hours of 10pm-2am every night but it was definitely worth it. Also to start a business you need money - so luckily I was working a ton at an amazing boutique where we also made more than fair commission so all my money was being funneled into TGS - the website, domain, business license, taxes, merch, marketing, our launch party (venue, food, drinks, decorations) all that stuff needs money! So that was an uphill climb starting it with no investors or anything like that. It was very much organic and self funded. ”
Alex Morehouse (model), Katie (photographer)
What's your favorite memory associated with TGS? Any funny stories?
“Gosh I feel like I have so many - and that’s what’s cool about all of our recap videos. I can relive the trips we took and the events we host! I think our 36 hour trip to Rosarito, Mexico was one of my favorites! One of our videographers Jerry was in town, SUPER LAST MINUTE we met up for coffee for his interview into TGS, he was rad so accepted him and he was like ‘hey I wanted to go to Mexico to stay at this resort and shoot some content but I’m not sure whose down!’ I was like ‘Um me and I’m sure we can get another model and photographer!’ He was like ‘yeah??’ And then Hannah and Joann were down and had passports so the next morning drove my Prius down to Mexico to spend 36 hours there riding a horse, hitting the beach, drinking margaritas, and shooting rad content with our TGS team! It was the most random amazing trip! ”
Alex Morehouse (model), Aneta (photographer)
Do you like modeling or being behind the camera better?
“If you asked me this 4 months ago I would say modeling... but now after diving into photo and video I think I love it all. Playing photographer has totally helped me as a model and I advise all models to practice shooting! You get a better feel for what you look like on the other side! I think it’s an even split but experience and ability wise I’d say I’m better as a model! ”
Alex Morehouse (model), Alex Castillo (photographer)
Any advise for newer members?
“What you put in is what you get out. If you come to the events, so the workshops, go to the networking events, and do the hustle - it’s amazing the reward! You have to our energy into something in order to get something out of it! ”
Alex Morehouse (model), REX (photographer)
Any words or sayings that you live by?
“Be open to everything and accepting and eager of opportunity. If you’re not open to opportunity or think there isn’t enough or that you can’t - then you won’t. You create your own reality so where do you wanna be? ”
Alex Morehouse (model), Alex Castillo (photographer)
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
“If the next ten years are anything like this last one I have absolutely no idea. I have a ton of big plans and visions for TGS but I myself will be continually learning and exploring. Hopefully I’ll be hosting more workshops and meet ups internationally; allowing for TGS to connect with and help as many people as possible!”
Alex Morehouse (model), Jon Cruz (photographer)
What's next for this company? What are you presently trying to achieve?
“Right now we’re focusing on the podcast The Gypsy Shack Radio which will be live at the end of the month! Some of the people we bring on are: Mary Simmons (whose the host and producer of this whole thing), Matison Card (model, singer, yoga instructor and more), Kyrsta Morehouse (MUA), Max Baker (photographer), Iris Chow (model and Co-founder is TGS Blog), Rex Yu (photographer), and potentially Isaac Prieto (TGS accountant) so I’m super pumped for this because it’s giving our members a voice and we can hear their thoughts and opinions on things!”
Alex Morehouse (model), Katie (photographer)
What's the hardest thing about being in charge of your own business and being your own boss?
“Time management - I have to live by my planner and keep myself on track. There’s no one there docking pay if I’m late or getting me in trouble for leaving early - I answer to myself and have to hold myself accountable! ”
Alex Morehouse (model), REX (photographer)
What's your typical day look like?
“It’s very different every week - some days I’m up at 7 doing some reading or listening to a podcast, getting into the office by 8:30, doing email responses, planning events, making sure events and marketing are in line, all that good stuff
Other days I’m running the meet ups and hosting networking events - which require prep or planning. It really is different day to day and even week to week! ”
Alex Morehouse (model), Katie (photographer)
When you're in a creative rut, is there something you do to help get out of it?
“I don’t often find myself in a creative rut because I’m constantly surrounding myself with inspo - going to book stores to look at their art and fashion books, following blogs or artists, following amazing people like my current obsessed Nadia Lee on Instagram and following along with her projects, mentally I’ve been living off podcasts: Girl Boss Radio with Sophie Amoruso and others! I need to keep my mind constantly learning and growing so I don’t find myself in a rut like that! ”
Alex Morehouse (model), Heather K (photographer)
If you had to choose three words to describe yourself, what would they be?
“..............Strong, motivated, empathetic.............
Strong - I only do things with the greatest power I can, I’m a force and I work better and more efficiently when I use my whole heart
Motivated - in terms of TGS I know what I’m doing is important and helpful (it quite literally saved me) so I know there’s a greater plan to what I’ve started. That alone is motivation paired with the fact that it’s already started changing peoples lives for the better
Emphatic - I feel deeply for people and I have an understanding and can connect energetically with them ”
Alex Morehouse (model), Katie (photographer)
Any random other info about yourself?
“I love s’mores and have had them for dessert almost every night for the last few weeks.... it’s a horrible addiction”
Alex Morehouse (model), Katie (photographer)
What do you like most about this industry? Is there anything you don't like?
“I like that my ‘job’ is hosting fun photoshoots and styling beautiful amazing women and connecting with creatives whose minds go places that others don’t. And don’t get me wrong it’s not as glamorous as that last sentence - styling requires a wardrobe pull from a company/boutique which times time and sometimes $$ If you’re buying to return! You have to make sure everything is cared for properly and not damaged or you have to buy it and even after the shoot
You have to return and check everything back in usually carrying 30 pieces all tucked into garment bags!
My biggest dislike of the industry is this idea that women and men need to be a certain way to be perceived as beautiful (because that’s all beauty really is - someone’s perception) they need to have the six pack or the chiseled arms or those guys can skip leg day! Yes models need to have the ‘it factor’ but that shouldn’t be based off of their height or weight or body measurements. ”
Alex Morehouse (model), Cedric (photographer)
What makes this company unique?
“I think the thing that sets us apart is that we’re awake and we realize all of what was said above which is why TGS Collective and Talent Agency have no height weight or measurement requirements- because it’s bullshit! ”
Alex Morehouse (model), Cedric (photographer)
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